Mouthpiece operated wind musical instrument with piano keyboard



Aug. 25, 1964 F. L INDERMEIER 3,145,608

MOUTHPIECE OPERATED wINn MUSICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PIANO KEYBOARD Filed Aug. 7, 1962 2 sheets-sheet .I

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MOUTHPIEICE OPERATED WIND MUSICAL. INSTRUMENT WITH PIANO KEYBOARD Filed Aug. 7, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,145,608 MUTHPIECE OPERATED WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PIANO KEYBARD Franz Lindermeier, Trossingen, Wrttemberg, Germany,

assignor, by mesne assignments, to M. Hohner Inc.,

Hicksville, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 7, 1962, Ser. No. 215,351 Claims priority, application Germany Aug. 31, 1961 6 Claims. (Cl. 84-375) This invention relates to mouthpiece operated wind musical instruments having piano type keyboards and, more particularly, to a wind musical instrument of this type having novel constiuctional features providing an improved resonance chamber greatly improving the tonal quality.

A known type of mouthpiece operated wind musical instrument has a wind channel connected to the blowing mouthpiece and extending along the side of the instrument opposite to that having the exposed keyboard. Valves, which are controlled by the keys, are mounted in this wind channel and control the flow of air therefrom into the cells of a wrest plank supporting the reed plates. Exterior casing components of the instrument 'overlie the reed plates and coact therewith to form a cavity serving as a resonance chamber and influencing the tone produced by the reeds.

The effect of such a resonance cavity or chamber upon the tonal quality of the instrument is accentuated in a mouthpiece operated wind musical instrument in which the reed plates are positioned in the wind channel or conduit and radiate their tones into the cells of the wrest plank, with the outflow of air from the wrest plank cell being selectively controlled by key-operated ap valves positioned in the resonance cavity. As compared with types of instruments involving a throat or channel interconnecting two cavities, the tonal effects produced by such a resonance chamber are unusually full, round and soft. The flap valves further are fitted with soft packing material so that the tone reflection due to the flap valves further improves the tone.

Known mouthpiece operated wind musical instruments of the latter type have not attained the maximum possible quality of tone effects due to the fact that the resonance cavity which receives the tones propagated through the cells and air ducts of the wrest plank has a volume insufficient to produce a proper resonance effect. Moreover, the resonance of the cavities in these known instruments is adversely affected by openings near the flap valves and communicating with the atmosphere.

In accordance with the present invention, these disadvantages are obviated by providing a resonance cavity having flap valves positioned therein, and having a greatly increased volume, While the instrument itself is still maintained suiiiciently compact to produce the full tonal effects. Where openings to the atmosphere from the resonance cavity are necessary, such openings are spaced as far as possible from the flap valves.

More particularly, in accordance with the present invention, the increase in the volume of the resonance cavity, in which are mounted the flap valves controlling the playing of the instrument, is effected by providing a resonance cavity which is formed by the pivotal mounting of the keys, parts of the wrest plank positioned between the underside of the keyboard and an instrument casing component spaced from the wrest plank, and a longitudinal end plate or partition separating the resonance cavity from the wind channel which has the reed plates positioned therein. The partition is displaced, relative to the seating surfaces for the flap valves, latera'lly along the wrest plank in the direction toward the wind channel communicating With the reed plates.

3,145,608 Patented Aug. 25, 1964 For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made to the following description of typical embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the keyboard side of one form of wind instrument embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale ofthe structure of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the keyboard side of another form of wind instrument embodying the invention;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view 0n an enlarged scale of the structure of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective View of the opposite side of the instrument shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view, partly broken away and partly in section, of the form of instrument shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7--7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view, similar to FIG. 6, of the form of instrument shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional View on an enlarged scale taken on the line 9--9 of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, three sides of the instrument shown therein are formed by a fairing or casing component 7 extending between end members 15 and 16. The fourth side of the instrument is constituted by an exposed keyboard 6 having playing keys 6a. Suitable sealing or packing means, such as indicated at 14, are provided between the parts to provide an airtight seal therebetween. End member 16 is formed with an aperture 21 therethrough which disengageably receive's a `mouthpiece 13.

The instrument has a wrest plank 5 extending longitudinally thereof beneath keyboard `6 and sealed therefrom, as best indicated in FIG. 2. Wrest plank 5 'is formed with cells or passages 12 over each of which is disposed a reed plate 1. The inner ends of the reed plates abut a longitudinally extending partition 8 which is secured to fairing 7 and extends into engagement with the undersurface of wrest plank 5, partition 8 having a laterally extended wall portion 17 underlying the wrest plank and preferably secured thereo. Partition 8 further has its wall portion 17 formed with ports or apertures l1'1 each opening into a respective one of the cells 12. The undersurface of Wall portion 17 also forms a seating surface 10 for flap valves v2 each operatively associated with a respective key '6a ofthe 'keyboard 6.

Reed plates 1, the vertically extending portion of partition 8, and fairing 7 define a Wind input channel 9 which extends throughout the complete length of the instrument in communication with all of the reed plates 1. Air enters wind channel v9 through .mouthpiece aperture 21 in end member 16. The vertical portion of partition 8, in conjunction with fairing 17 and other associated parts, further defines a resonance cavity or chamber 3, which is to the left of the vertical portion of partition 8 as viewed in FIG. 2. This resonance cavity is further defined by the key mounting means 34 having a rod or pin 4 extending longitudinally thereof and constituting the common pivot for keys 6a. Each key 6a vhas a pivot portion 19 which extends through a suitable slot in member 34, substantially completely vfilling the associated slot, `wherein the key is pivoted upon rod 4. Each key has a terminal portion 2t) adjacent pivot 4, and from which extends an arm in the form of a wire or rod 18 which has its free end secured to a flap valve 2. Flap valves 2 are initially adjustable along the free ends of wires 18 for proper seating with relation to the respective ports 11, and for proper angular adjustment of the associated keys, and are lthen secured in adjusted position.

By blowing into mouthpiece 13, wind passes through passage 21 into wind channel or conduit 9. The flow of air past the respective reed plates 1 is controlled by operation of keys 6a- As a key is depressed, its associated flap valve 2 is moved away from the respective port 11 communicating with a cell 12 associated with a particular reed plate 1. The air owing past the particular reed plate 1 then passes into the communicating cell 12 and out through the port 11 thereof into resonance cavity 3, from which the cell-tone sound may emerge through suitable openings in fairing or casing component 7. It Will be noted that resonance cavity 3 is defined by partition member 8, fairing 7, and mounting 34 for the keys, and wrest plank 5. There are no clearances or openings in these elements which define this resonance cavity, so that the resonance thereof is in no way impaired, even by the operation of keys 6. The resonance cavity 3 communicates with the outer atmosphere through spaces between the upper left portion of the fairing 7, as viewed in FIG. 2, and the longer keys 6, which are of course the white keys, and in addition there will inevitably be communication between the resonance cavity 3 and the outer atmosphere through the slight spaces between the keys themselves.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 8 and 9, a wrest plank 22 has fairing or casing components 27 and 28 secured to its opposite surfaces. Fairing component 27 has an opening extending longitudinally thereof and exposing the keyboard 26. One projecting side edge 25 of wrest plank 22 is substantially straight. The end of edge 25 furthest from the mouthpiece end of the instrument terminates in a rounded horn 29 joined by a curved transition end surface 30 to a horn 31. A curved transition surface 33 joins horn 31 to the other side edge of the wrest plank 22. The side edges of the fairing pieces 27 and 28 are curved to correspond to the edges of the wrest plank.

Adjacent its operating end, wrest plank 22 is formed With a rectangular notch 35 in which is secured a mouthpiece support 36. Mouthpiece support 36 disengageably and interchangeably receives mouthpiece 24. That portion of suppor-t 36 which extends into the recess 35 in wrest plank 22 is substantially flush with the opposite surfaces of the wrest plank 22, and has one surface formed with an aperture 37. I

Aperture 37 opens into a trough 39 extending longitudinally of the instrument along the undersurface of the Wrest plank 22. Trough 39 has an intermediate partition 40 therein formed with an opening (FIG. 9) interconnecting the portions of the trough above and below the partition. The edges 41 of the side walls 38 of trough 39 engage packing 42 extending over reed plates 43 secured to the undersurface of wrest plank 22.

Adjacent their rear or inner ends 44, the keys 51 of the keyboard 26 are pivoted on a rod 23 extending through each of the keys and supported by formations on a vertically extending leg of an angular bracket 61 secured to the upper surface of wrest plank 22. Coil springs 62, each having one end engaged with the horizontal leg of bracket 61 and the opposite end engaged with a respective one of the keys, are anchored to the vertical leg of bracket 61 and bias the keys to their upper position.

Beneath the inner ends 44 of the keys, wrest plank Z2 vis formed with longitudinally extending slots 45 constitutlng clearance spaces with respect to a resonance cavity 46. Wrest plate 22 is formed with a plurality of cells or recesses 47 each communicating with a reed plate 43 and each connected, by a respective port or passage 49, to a clearance space 45. The innermost edges of clearance spaces 45 provide seating surfaces 48 for flap valves 50. Each key 51 has an arm or extension 52 extending into a clearance space 45. The inner edges of extension 52 are beveled, as at 53, and these beveled edges 53 engage in channels 54 in the outer surfaces of flap valves 50. Each channel 54 is V-shaped, as viewed in FIG. 4, and has an apex as at 55. Bevel surfaces 53 of extensions 52 engage apices 55. By shifting each flap valve 50 on valve surface 48 and along a beveled surface 53, the proper positions of the iiap valves may be adjusted to set the proper angular position of the associated key 51. When such adjustment is attained, extensions 52 are glued or otherwise integrally secured to the associated flap valves 50.

The configured end comprising horns 29, 31 and transition curved surfaces 30 and 33 forms a suitable grip for holding the instrument. As best seen in FIG. 5, that surface of the instrument opposite keyboard 26 is provided with a preferably flexible carrying strap 56 having its ends secured in caps 57 and 58 in turn secured to fairing piece 28. The latter is secured to wrest plank 22 by means of screws or bolts 59, and the pressure exerted in tightening the screws or bolts 59 serves further to force trough 39 into an air-tight fit with reed plates 43.

It will be noted that the curved gripping end of the instrument extends through the width of substantially live keys adjacent the end of the keyboard remote from the mouthpiece end, and that the casing sections and wrest plank extend beyond the most remote key by a distance equal substantially to twice the width of a whole tone or white key. Furthermore, and by particular reference to FIG. 5, it will be noted that, when an operators hand is positioned across the instrument and under the strap 56, the point of support is about substantially one-third of the length of the instrument inwardly from the remote end thereof.

This embodiment of the invention operates in the same manner as does that previously described. The wind blown into the mouthpiece 24 passes through the support 36 and through the opening 37 into the trough 39. The wind may selectively pass through a reed plate 43 when the associated key 51 is depressed to lift valve 50 from against surface 48. The air then passes through the reed plate into cell 47 and out through passage 49 and into clearances 45. From there, the sound goes into resonance cavity 46 wherein a full tonal resonance of the instrument is produced.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A musical wind instrument comprising an elongated fairing carrying a mouthpiece at one end of the instrument and being open at one side of the instrument throughout substantially the entire width of the instrument, wrest plank means connected to said fairing means and extending in the same general direction as said fairing means, said Wrest plank means dening with the other side of said fairing means, opposite to the side thereof which is open, an elongated shallow space, means in said elongated shallow space dividing the latter into a pair of elongated cavities located beside and maintained by said means out of communication with each other, one of said cavities being a resonance cavity and the other of said cavities communicating with said mouthpiece so that the operator can blow into said other cavity, said wrest plank means being formed with a plurality of cells and with a plurality of apertures respectively communicating with said cells and with said resonance cavity, a plurality of reed plates respectively communicating with said cells and with said other cavity into which the operator can blow through said mouthpiece, a keyboard located at the side of said wrest plank means opposite from said cavities and substantially filling the opening in said fairing means sol that said keyboard extends substantially across the entire width of the instrument, said keyboard including a plurality of elongated keys arranged in side-by-side relation along the instrument and having free ends respectively adapted to be engaged by the operator, pivot means extending longitudinally of said fairing means at the ends n of said keys opposite from said free ends thereof and said keys and the side of said fairing means which is closed and deiines said elongated space with said wrest plank means, said valves having closed positions respectively closing said apertures and open positions displaced at least slightly from and opening said apertures, and a plurality of arms respectively Xed to said keys adjacent said pivot means and respectively extending therefrom to and carrying said valves so that when said keys are depressed at their free ends the valves respectively connected thereto Will turn with said keys to positions opening said apertures.

2. An instrument as recited in claim 1 and wherein said means dividing said space into a pair of elongated cavities includes a single partition Wall common to both of said cavities and defining with one part of said fairing means a conduit communicating with said mouthpiece and with another part of said fairing means said resonance cavity in which said valves and arms are located.

3. An instrument as recited in claim l and wherein said valves and apertures closed and opened thereby are situated substantially centrally of the instrument and substantially midway between the ends of said keys.

4. An instrument as recited in claim 3 and wherein said arms are of a substantially L-shaped configuration which at their free ends are connected to and carry said valves and turn through a substantial distance in response to actuation of the keys.

5. An instrument as recited in claim 1 and wherein a conduit is situated in said space communicating with said reed plates and with said mouthpiece and forming at one side said means which divides said space into said elongated cavities so that said resonance cavity is situated at one side of said conduit.

6. An instrument as recited in claim 1 and wherein said wrest plank means is formed with a plurality of openings passing therethrough and respectively communicating with said apertures, said openings also communicating with and forming part of said resonance cavity and said valves being located in said openings in alignment with said apertures, respectively, said arms extending respectively from said keys into said openings of said wrest plank means where said arms are fixed to said valves so that said valves and arms move respectively in said openings of said wrest plank means.

Kratt et al. Dec. 13, 1955 Seiller et al May 15, 1962 

1. A MUSICAL WIND INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ELONGATED FAIRING CARRYING A MOUTHPIECE AT ONE END OF THE INSTRUMENT AND BEING OPEN AT ONE SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT THROUGHOUT SUBSTANTIALLY THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF THE INSTRUMENT, WREST PLANK MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID FAIRING MEANS AND EXTENDING IN THE SAME GENERAL DIRECTION AS SAID FAIRING MEANS, SAID WREST PLANK MEANS DEFINING WITH THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID FAIRING MEANS, OPPOSITE TO THE SIDE THEREOF WHICH IS OPEN, AN ELONGATED SHALLOW SPACE, MEANS IN SAID ELONGATED SHALLOW SPACE DIVIDING THE LATTER INTO A PAIR OF ELONGATED CAVITIES LOCATED BESIDE AND MAINTAINED BY SAID MEANS OUT OF COMMUNICATION WITH EACH OTHER, ONE OF SAID CAVITIES BEING A RESONANCE CAVITY AND THE OTHER, OF SAID CAVITIES COMMUNICATING WITH SAID MOUTHPIECE SO THAT THE OPERATOR CAN BLOW INTO SAID OTHER CAVITY, SAID WREST PLANK MEANS BEING FORMED WITH A PLURALITY OF CELLS AND WITH A PLURALITY OF APERTURES RESPECTIVELY COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CELLS AND WITH SAID RESONANCE CAVITY, A PLURALITY OF REED PLATES RESPECTIVELY COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CELLS AND WITH SAID OTHER CAVITY INTO WHICH THE OPERATOR CAN BLOW THROUGH SAID MOUTHPIECE, A KEYBOARD LOCATED AT THE SIDE OF SAID WREST PLANK MEANS OPPOSITE FROM SAID CAVITIES AND SUBSTANTIALLY FILLING THE OPENING IN SAID FAIRING MEANS SO THAT SAID KEYBOARD EXTENDS SUBSTANTIALLY ACROSS THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF THE INSTRUMENT, SAID KEYBOARD INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED KEYS ARRANGED IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATION ALONG THE INSTRUMENT AND HAVING FREE ENDS RESPECTIVELY ADAPTED TO BE ENGAGED BY THE OPERATOR, PIVOT MEANS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID FAIRING MEANS AT THE ENDS OF SAID KEYS OPPOSITE FROM SAID FREE ENDS THEREOF AND SUPPORTING SAID KEYS FOR TURNING MOVEMENT, A PLURALITY OF VALVES ARRANGED RESPECTIVELY IN ALIGNMENT WITH AND BETWEEN SAID KEYS AND THE SIDE OF SAID FAIRING MEANS WHICH IS CLOSED AND DEFINES SAID ELONGATED SPACE WITH SAID WREST PLANK MEANS, SAID VALVES HAVING CLOSED POSITIONS RESPECTIVELY CLOSING SAID APERTURES AND OPEN POSITIONS DISPLACED AT LEAST SLIGHTLY FROM AND OPENING SAID APERTURES, AND A PLURALITY OF ARMS RESPECTIVELY FIXED TO SAID KEYS ADJACENT SAID PIVOT MEANS RESPECTIVELY EXTENDING THEREFROM TO AND CARRYING SAID VALVES SO THAT WHEN SAID KEYS ARE DEPRESSED AT THEIR FREE ENDS THE VALVES RESPECTIVELY CONNECTED THERETO WILL TURN WITH SAID KEYS TO POSITIONS OPENING SAID APERTURES. 